La Serna pitcher Jordyn Cebedo (32) is congratulated by catcher Jessica Alcala (13) after their win over California in their Del Rio League girls softball game at La Serna High School in Whittier on Thursday April 18, 2019. La Serna defeated California 7-2. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

La Serna’s Alexis Ramirez (88) hits a two run home run as they play California in their Del Rio League girls softball game at La Serna High School in Whittier on Thursday April 18, 2019. La Serna defeated California 7-2. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

La Serna players cheer on Alexis Ramirez (88) after hitting a two run home run as they play California in their Del Rio League girls softball game at La Serna High School in Whittier on Thursday April 18, 2019. La Serna defeated California 7-2. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

Sound

The gallery will resume inseconds

La Serna’s Jordyn Cebedo (32) makes a pitch as they play California in their Del Rio League girls softball game at La Serna High School in Whittier on Thursday April 18, 2019. La Serna defeated California 7-2. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

La Serna’s Kayla Carrillo (5) collides with California catcher Jenavee Amador (7) as she scores at home plate in their Del Rio League girls softball game at La Serna High School in Whittier on Thursday April 18, 2019. La Serna defeated California 7-2. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

California shortstop Bella Gurule (8) throws out a batter at first base in their Del Rio League girls softball game at La Serna High School in Whittier on Thursday April 18, 2019. La Serna defeated California 7-2. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

California’s Amanda Cabral (15) hits an RBI double in their Del Rio League girls softball game at La Serna High School in Whittier on Thursday April 18, 2019. La Serna defeated California 7-2. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

California’s Amanda Cabral (15) does a dance after hitting an RBI double in their Del Rio League girls softball game at La Serna High School in Whittier on Thursday April 18, 2019. La Serna defeated California 7-2. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

La Serna’s Jessica Alcala (13) is congratulated by Ginger Larsin after hitting a home run as they play California in their Del Rio League girls softball game at La Serna High School in Whittier on Thursday April 18, 2019. La Serna defeated California 7-2. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

La Serna players rush to home plate after Alexis Ramirez (88) hits a two run home run as they play California in their Del Rio League girls softball game at La Serna High School in Whittier on Thursday April 18, 2019. La Serna defeated California 7-2. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

La Serna players cheer on Alexis Ramirez (88) after hitting a two run home run as they play California in their Del Rio League girls softball game at La Serna High School in Whittier on Thursday April 18, 2019. La Serna defeated California 7-2. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

La Serna players Jasmine Gray (24), Jordyn Cebedo (32) and Jessica Alcala (13) join former head coach Ginger Larsin as she coaches her last game before retiring this year as they play California in their Del Rio League girls softball game at La Serna High School in Whittier on Thursday April 18, 2019. La Serna defeated California 7-2. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

California’s Casey Dufrene (11) scores from second base in their Del Rio League girls softball game at La Serna High School in Whittier on Thursday April 18, 2019. La Serna defeated California 7-2. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

La Serna players congratulate each other after their win over California in their Del Rio League girls softball game at La Serna High School in Whittier on Thursday April 18, 2019. La Serna defeated California 7-2. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

La Serna players congratulate Kayla Carrillo (5) after scoring against California in their Del Rio League girls softball game at La Serna High School in Whittier on Thursday April 18, 2019. La Serna defeated California 7-2. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

La Serna pitcher Jordyn Cebedo (32) is congratulated by catcher Jessica Alcala (13) after their win over California in their Del Rio League girls softball game at La Serna High School in Whittier on Thursday April 18, 2019. La Serna defeated California 7-2. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

La Serna’s Kayla Carrillo (5) collides with California catcher Jenavee Amador (7) as she scores at home plate in their Del Rio League girls softball game at La Serna High School in Whittier on Thursday April 18, 2019. La Serna defeated California 7-2. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

La Serna third baseman Jasmine Gray (24) tags out California’s Serenity Montano (2) at third base in their Del Rio League girls softball game at La Serna High School in Whittier on Thursday April 18, 2019. La Serna defeated California 7-2. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

WHITTIER >> The California High softball team did everything it could to foil archrival La Serna’s bid to clinch a third consecutive Del Rio League title on Thursday in a crucial game for both programs.

The Condors, who lost to the Lancers on Tuesday after the area power jumped out to a seven-run lead after two innings, got off to a good start by scoring a pair of runs in the first inning against La Serna starter Jordyn Cebedo.

However, the Lancers managed to stay within striking distance, broke through with a five-run fifth inning and added a two-run homer by catcher Jessica Alcala in the sixth to defeat California 7-2 at La Serna High.

“They got a couple good hits,” La Serna coach Mike Reed said of California. “They played a good ballgame. Once we got onto their pitchers, the girls got dialed in and we knew what to do with them. That’s been our MO. We try to get started earlier, but I think jitters, that kind of stuff, being a big game (got in the way.)”

Cebedo settle down after the rough first inning. The University of Illinois-Chicago signee went the distance for La Serna (19-6. 6-0), striking out six batters and allowing just six hits.

“Cal High is a good hitting team. I knew they were going to come out strong,” Cebedo said. “I got a little nervous in the beginning, but I knew my teammates were going to have my back.”

Having Alcala, a future Cal State Fullerton Titan, behind the plate helped.

Alcala, who threw out a trio of baserunners on Thursday, helped guide Cebedo and La Serna out of trouble in the top of the fifth with her pitch selection. After the Condors put together a pair of hits in the inning, Cebedo got center fielder Cameron Curiel to foul out to retire the side.

The Lancers put together a rally in the bottom half of fifth. Valena Sanchez reached safely to lead off when California second baseman Desirae Martinez was unable to field a groundball cleanly. Things began to spiral out of control for California when Skyler Sethman reached safely with one out. Sethman bunted down the first base side of the infield and it appeared the ball was going to stop in foul ground, but it curved back into fair territory, which put two runners on.

“That was just one of those things that happened,” Reed said. “It rolled right down the line, then it got on the line, then it came back in. If she (California first baseman Casey Dufrene) would have waited on it, it probably would have rolled foul.”

Unfortunately for the Condors (18-3, 5-2), the infield single was a sign of things to come for starter Yasmine Castellanos. The senior managed to get through the first four innings without allowing a run but did not last through the fifth.

Up next for La Serna was Alcala, a senior, who delivered an RBI double up the middle, which was followed by two-run double by Jasmine Gray to give the Lancers a 3-2 lead.

Freshman sensation Alexis Ramirez capped the inning with a two-run homer over the left-field fence to give her team a three-run advantage.

“They got a couple lucky breaks and then they took advantage of it,” California coach Jason Ramirez said. “They put together a couple good hits after that and got to Yasmine a little bit and that’s what happens.”

Seniors Miranda Rooney and Amanda Cabral each drove in a run for the Condors. Castellanos pitched 4 1/3 innings for California, allowed four earned runs and struck out six hitters. Cabral relieved her and was responsible for the pair of home runs by La Serna.

Former Lancers coach Ginger Larson, who guided the program to three CIF-Southern Section championships and recorded more than 500 career wins during her coaching career, was the team’s honorary third base coach against California. She is retiring from her teaching career at La Serna at the end of the semester.

“Ginger worked with them a lot this week, just to get used to them, doing signs and everything that she used to do for what, 25 or 30 years,” Reed said. “Phenomenal lady. I learned a lot from her as a coach. The girls played up, they came up and got it done for her.”